Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Source: Corsicana Daily Sun (TX)
Copyright: 2006 Corsicana Daily Sun.
Contact:  http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2968

RED RIBBON WEEK TACKLES DRUG USE

Viable Options in Community Endeavors (VOICE) recently celebrated Red 
Ribbon Week with students across Navarro County. This year's Annual 
Red Ribbon Week was Oct. 23-31.

Currently, VOICE has drug prevention programs in every school in the 
county, but Red Ribbon Week provides even more focus on drug 
prevention. During Red Ribbon Week, the staff at VOICE provided 
additional presentations for kindergarten through 12th grade. The 
students were taught the serious dangers of tobacco, alcohol and 
other drugs. Innovative techniques were used in working with the 
children, including games, videos, songs and group discussions.

Red Ribbon Week is about encouraging kids to being drug-free and 
marking the progress that has been made, VOICE officials said. The 
first Red Ribbon Celebration was organized in 1986 by a grassroots 
organization of parents concerned with the destruction caused by 
alcohol and drug abuse. The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the 
movement that Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped while investigation drug 
traffickers. The campaign has reached millions of children and has 
been recognized by U.S. Congress.

"Red Ribbon Week is a chance to be visible and vocal in our desire 
for a drug-free community," said Lynda Sloan, executive director of 
VOICE. "Research shows that illicit drug use among 12 to 17 year olds 
has been on a downward decline for the last three years, that is 
great news for the community."

The mission at VOICE is "to empower children and families to lead 
healthy and productive lives through education, advocacy, and 
community collaboration." In striving to accomplish the mission, 
VOICE is committed to continue working with all students through-out 
the year with various programs and looks forward to more positive outcomes.

For more information on the programs and services provided by VOICE 
or to offer your support to VOICE Programs visit it Web site at 
www.voiceinc.org or call (903) 872-0180.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine